Raised in the Eltham View neighborhood by her mother, an occasional actor and a Ministry of Health employee, she sang in her church choir, taught herself guitar at age 12 on an instrument borrowed from a friend, and began writing lyrics inspired by listening to reggae singer Protoje.

In 2016, she won her school talent show without realizing that the informal show at which she performed in her school cafeteria had been an audition. She went on to learn music theory and vocal technique in her high school choir.

"Koffee" is a nickname friends gave her when she ordered hot coffee instead of soda on a hot day.